Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim

Erb's Palsy is caused due to damage to the nerve network in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can lead to paralysis, as well as other issues.

This birth injury can be caused by medical negligence. It can result in an uneasy or rush delivery particularly when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labor.

Causes

In rare circumstances there are occasions when things happen to go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, for instance Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you obtain compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis of varying degrees in the arm and shoulder affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical signals to muscles to allow them move. Injury to the brachial plexus can result in an inability to grasp and move the hand in the affected area.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of causes. Erb's Palsy can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull becomes stuck over the mother's pubic bone. It is more prevalent for women who have risk factors such as gestational diabetes and babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is important that doctors recognise this and are able to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also happen by forceps or vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's palsy is defined by a lack in movement of the hand or arm affected and a weak grip. Typically, the symptoms show between six and 12 months following birth.

The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system that extends from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates movement and sensation of the fingers, arm and hand. If damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

It's usually the result of the medical error that occurs during childbirth, like an unintentional pull by a doctor to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during the delivery that puts stress on the C5-C6 nerve system that forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from an injury from a stretch will recover within six to 12 months. However, some cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves that are damaged are not repaired, then the child may be left with an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to lessen the impact, but the injury can never be fully repaired. Some infants are left with significant disability and cannot move their arm, hand or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles except the trapezius, causes symptoms. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 and C6. It is less likely to affect C7. This causes the classic Erb's syndrome the waiter's tip hand which cannot pronate or flex the forearm. In some cases, the injured nerves can also cause Horner's Syndrome, a pupil that droops and a constricted chin.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence in the birth process that results in the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is usually caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during delivery. This can include using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This could include a physician who fails to control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to do an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean birth would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arm. When a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it signifies that nerves are injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some have a permanent disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is utilized to improve range of motion. It can be done in many ways, including stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist can also recommend a specialist extension splint to ease the movement and reduce stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a nerve graft could be needed to rebuild damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation could aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, education, and assistance. If you think your child's Erb's Palsy was caused by an error in medical treatment at the time of their birth, you could be able to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation to help pay for the treatment of their child. It can also help them feel satisfaction and call attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements in erb's palsy lawyers Palsy lawsuits will cover the cost of physical therapy in addition to any other treatments or equipment required to support your child's condition. They can also compensate you for any loss of income or earnings because of your child's disability.

It is recommended to contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence was the cause. They can guide you on the best method to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed before any deadlines run out. This will ensure you have the best chances of getting compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the highest amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they need to live a happy life.